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Activity What was West Africa like in the 1500s?
Activity

What was West Africa like in the 1500s?

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Themes this can be used for:

West African History

What was West Africa like in the 1500s?
Activity 1 of 2

Class discussion around objects and evidence.

Show pupils the selected objects. Discuss with the class the craftsmanship and detail, drawing out their responses eg:

  • What is the object made from?
  • What skills were required to make it?
  • What might it have been used for?

Play the two video extracts.

How do these different objects present a picture of Africa in the 1500s? Does this picture differ from pupils

Relevant resources

Head of an 'oba' from the Edo of Benin

Artefact:
Head of an 'oba' from the Edo of Benin - (jpg, 0kb)

Asante cosmetic pot

Artefact:
Asante cosmetic pot - (jpg, 0kb)

'Oware' board from the Yoruba of Nigeria

Artefact:
'Oware' board from the Yoruba of Nigeria - (jpg, 0kb)

Asante stool

Artefact:
Asante stool - (jpg, 0kb)

Asante ceremonial sword

Artefact:
Asante ceremonial sword - (jpg, 0kb)

West African society in the 1500s

Lesson plan:
West African History - (pdf, 0kb)

Equiano's account of the riches of Africa

Sound file:
Equiano's account of the riches of Africa - (wmv, 0kb)

Related information

Find out more about using artefacts in lessons
View the Introduction

Read more about West African History
View the Themes

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